Abstract: A method for estimating mean opinion score or naturalness of synthesized speech is provided. The method includes using an objective measure that has components derived directly from textual information used to form synthesized utterances. The objective measure has a high correlation with mean opinion score such that a relationship can be formed between the objective measure and corresponding mean opinion score. An estimated mean opinion score can be obtained easily from the relationship when the objective measure is applied to utterances of a modified speech synthesizer.

Abstract: The present invention herein relates to a bioactive substance with mammalian B lymphocyte toxicity secreted by canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) and its process. CTVT is the only mammalian tumor in nature that is transmitted through viable tumor cells. Transmission of CTVT between dogs is akin to an allograft. The isolation of bioactive substance secreted by CTVT includes the following steps: (1) store CTVT excised from canine skin in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS); (2) physically extract CTVT, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes; (3) place CTVT in culture medium and physically obtain suspension fluid with B lymphocyte toxicity; (4) drive said suspension solution through protein filters with different pore sizes to obtain bioactive substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pump driving system of induction type, which comprises a motor shaft, a pump shaft, a first magnetization body, a second magnetization body, an electrical coil, a yoke, and a nonmagnetically electrical-conducting body. The first magnetization body is mounted on the first shaft and is driven by the first shaft. The second magnetization body is provided inside a seal cover that is provided at one end of the pump shaft. The first magnetization body, the second magnetization body, the electrical coil, and the yoke are configured to constitute a dosed magnetic path. The rotation of the motor is configured to change the magnetic flux of the closed magnetic path to have the nonmagnetically metal disk, which is coupled with mechanical means, induced eddy current and thus exert an electromagnetic force on the disk so as to rotate the second.

Abstract: The invention discloses a connecting device installed on an external peripheral device for connecting the external peripheral device with mobile phones or PDAs that have different connection port specifications. The invention provides a connection base and a connector. The connection base is disposed on the external peripheral device and the connector is selected according to the connection port specifications of the accompanying electronic device. The connector connects the connection ports of the connection base and the electronic device, forming electrical communication between the connection base and the electronic device. This provides a wide variety of applications for external peripheral devices.

Abstract: A design methodology is provided for creating biomaterial scaffolds optimized for in vivo function with any 3D anatomic shape. The method creates all designs using voxel based design techniques. It also provides for optimization of implant and scaffold microstructure to best match functional and biofactor delivery (including cells, genes and proteins) requirements. The voxel based design techniques readily allow combination of any scaffold or implant microstructure database with any complex 3D anatomic shape created by CT or MRI scanners. These designs can be readily converted to formats for layered manufacturing or casting.

Abstract: Novel tetramic acid-type compounds isolated from a CCR-5 active complex produced by fermentation under controlled conditions of a biologically pure culture of the microorganism, Chaetomium globosum Kunze SCH 1705, ATCC 74489., pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and the use of the CCR-5 antagonist compounds and compositions to treat HIV-1 infections in humans are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel tetramic acid-type compounds isolated from a CCR-5 active complex produced by fermentation under controlled conditions of a biologically pure culture of the microorganism, Chaetomium globosum Kunze SCH 1705, ATCC 74489., pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and the use of the CCR-5 antagonist compounds and compositions to treat HIV-1 infections in humans are disclosed.

Abstract: A speech synthesizer is provided that concatenates stored samples of speech units without modifying the prosody of the samples. The present invention is able to achieve a high level of naturalness in synthesized speech with a carefully designed training speech corpus by storing samples based on the prosodic and phonetic context in which they occur. In particular, some embodiments of the present invention limit the training text to those sentences that will produce the most frequent sets of prosodic contexts for each speech unit. Further embodiments of the present invention also provide a multi-tier selection mechanism for selecting a set of samples that will produce the most natural sounding speech.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium are provided that identify prosodic word boundaries for a text. If the text is unsegmented, it is first segmented into lexical words. The lexical words are then converted into prosodic words using an annotated lexicon to divide large lexical words into smaller words and a model to combine the lexical words and/or the smaller words into larger prosodic words. The boundaries of the resulting prosodic words are used to set the prosody for the synthesized speech.

Abstract: An improved toy whistle structure includes a main body and a plurality of sub-bodies disposed therein. Each of the sub-bodies has an inner wall that is slightly tapered, and an outer wall provided with a correspondingly tapered movable ferrule for holding and positioning a tongue unit in each of the sub-bodies, thereby achieving facilitated assembly and a rich note variation effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sending faxes over the Internet, in which the sender gets a confirmation immediately after sending the facsimile message over a regular, uncontrolled Internet connection, and using standard modems or a Local Area Network (LAN) connection to the Internet.

Abstract: The present invention is an expansion of the IFB device that provides a means to enable multiple devices to access a global computer network (such as the “Internet”) from a single network connection. The present invention comprises an input modem for communicating directly with a personal computer. This device can have a second input modem that communicates directly with a second device such as a facsimile machine. The invention has an output modem that communicates with the Internet or computing network. The present invention also contains a Central Processing Unit (“CPU”) to run various application software programs, a ROM that will store the software and a RAM that can store information sent or received over the computer network. The invention also contains software utility programs that will establish a dial-up connection with the computer network that will enable a personal computer to access the network.

Abstract: Photocurable ceramic resins having solids loadings in excess of 40 volume percent and a viscosity of less than 3000 mPa.multidot.s are suitable for multi-layer fabrication of green ceramic parts by stereolithography and similar techniques. The green ceramic parts, which may be of traditional ceramic materials, sinterable metals, or combinations thereof, exhibit low shrinkage upon firing or sintering, and may be used for such applications as rapid prototyping, biocompatible ceramic parts, ceramic cores for investment casting, ceramic molds for metal casting, and the like.

Abstract: Orthosomycins have been isolated from the fermentation broth of the microorganism Micromonospora Carbonacea var Africana designated SCC 2146. These compounds are antibacterial agents. Compositions and methods for treating bacterial infections are also described.

Abstract: Compounds of the formulas: ##STR1## or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are obtainable by cultivation of a pure culture of Actinoplanes sp. SCC2314, ATCC 55600. These compounds are useful as antifungal agents.

Abstract: Two novel glycosides of 3'-deoxyaquayamycin isolated from an antimicrobial complex produced in fermentation under controlled conditions using a biologically pure culture of the microorganism Streptomyces sp. SCC 2136, ATCC 55186 are disclosed.

Abstract: Four bicyclic terpenes isolated from a culture broth of Phoma sp SCF0592, ATCC 74077, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as PAF antagonists to treat allergic and inflammatory diseases are disclosed.